Tamper-evident reclosable bag

ABSTRACT

A plastic bag comprises opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. The zipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order to best accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper without the slider. The slider is mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closed while the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To inhibit tampering with the contents of the bag, the bag includes a tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider to move away from the closed position toward the open position in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature. In another set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains a mouth portion of the plastic bag in a folded position and allows the mouth portion to be unfolded in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to reclosable plasticbags and, more particularly, relates to a reclosable plastic bag havinga tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the plastic bag hasa zipper opened and closed using a slider mounted to the zipper, and thetamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider at a closedposition on the zipper and allows the slider to move away from theclosed position to an open position on the zipper in response toremoving or breaking the tamper-evident feature. In another set ofembodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains a mouthportion of the plastic bag in a folded position and allows the mouthportion to be unfolded in response to removing or breaking thetamper-evident feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Reclosable slider bags of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,067,208 include a zipper that is opened and closed by movement of aslider mounted to the zipper. Due to the ease of operating the slider,such slider bags have increased in popularity over the last few years.Heretofore, the primary market for slider bags has been consumers whopurchase a package of empty slider bags and then fill the slider bagswith products at home. However, with the increasing popularity of theslider bags, product manufacturers have become interested in packagingtheir food and nonfood products in slider bags for sale to consumers.The slider bags are a great convenience to the consumer who purchasesthese product-filled bags especially for products of the type where onlya portion of the product is used at any given time. The productapplications for which slider bags may be useful are virtuallyunlimited. The consumer may initially open the slider bag, use a portionof the product, and then easily reclose the slider bag. Due to the easeof using the slider bag, the slider bag is typically preferred overone-time openable bags, which are significantly more difficult to openand reclose. To open a one-time openable bag, the consumer may need totear the bag open and may require a scissors or other tool to facilitatethe opening process; to reclose the bag, the consumer typically mustroll the top of the bag closed and may require an extra fasteningmechanism such as a clip, tie, or tape to maintain the bag in the closedposition.

[0003] A problem with plastic slider bags is that if such bags are to beprepackaged with a food or non-food product and then sold in a store,the contents of the plastic bags can easily be tampered with prior topurchase by the consumer. To inhibit such tampering, slider bags havebeen provided with tamper-evident features of the type disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,669,715; 5,713,669; and 5,775,812. While such tamper-evidentfeatures are capable of providing tamper evidence upon opening the bag,bag manufacturers such as the assignee of the foregoing patents arecontinually striving to develop new bag features for improving thefunctionality of their bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] To that end, the present invention provides a plastic bagcomprising first and second opposing body panels fixedly connected toeach other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair ofsides. The bag is provided with a reclosable zipper extending along amouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. Thezipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order tobest accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper withoutthe slider. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movementbetween a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closedwhile the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened inresponse to movement of the slider to the open position. The bagoptionally includes end terminations at opposite ends of the zipper toprevent the slider from going past the ends of the zipper. To providethe plastic bag with tamper evidence, the bag includes a tamper-evidentfeature.

[0005] In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initiallymaintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider tomove away from the closed position toward the open position in responseto removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature. The tamper-evidentfeature may take a variety of forms including for example: a removablecardboard, paper, or plastic member covering or adjacent to the sliderin the closed position and adhered, stapled, friction fit, or connectedin some other way to the bag to hold the member in place; a removableflexible member extending through a hole in the slider or through a holein the zipper adjacent to the slider in the closed position; a removablestepped retaining element removably attached to one of the bag bodypanels near the closed position of the slider such that a shoulder ofthe slider is initially engaged to the stepped element and is disengagedtherefrom upon removal of the stepped element; a latch connected to theend termination and releasably engaged to the slider in the closedposition; a latch connected to the slider and releasably engaged to theend termination when the slider is in the closed position; and aremovable U-shaped element extending through slots in the slider in theclosed position and dug into the zipper.

[0006] The tamper-evident features noted above initially maintain theslider in the closed position. Therefore, prior to removing or breakingthe tamper-evident feature, it is difficult to gain access to theinterior of the bag because, in the absence of graspable upper flanges,the zipper is difficult to grasp and open by hand without the use of theslider. After the tamper-evident feature is removed or broken, theslider may be used to open the zipper and access the contents of thebag.

[0007] In another set of embodiments, the tamper-evident featureinitially maintains the mouth portion of the plastic bag in a foldedposition and allows the mouth portion to be unfolded in response toremoving or breaking the tamper-evident feature. The tamper-evidentfeature can be employed with both slider and sliderless bags and maytake a variety of forms including for example: spot seals detachablysealing the sides of the folded mouth portion to the sides of the bag;spot seals detachably sealing the inner panel of the folded mouthportion to the adjacent bag panel; a removable flexible member passingthrough both the folded mouth portion and the adjacent unfolded portionof the bag; one or more stickers (adhesive strips) attaching the foldedmouth portion to the adjacent unfolded portion of the bag; andcombinations of the foregoing. If the flexible member or sticker isemployed and the plastic bag includes a slider for operating the zipper,the flexible member or sticker may be strategically positioned toperform the dual function of maintaining the mouth portion in the foldedposition and preventing the slider from being moved away from the closedposition until the flexible member or sticker is removed from the bag.

[0008] The tamper evident features of the present invention effectivelyinhibit tampering with contents of the bag to a degree that isespecially useful for non-food and some food applications, wheretamper-proof packaging is not required but tamper-resistant packaging isnonetheless desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a reclosable plastic slider baghaving a slider mounted to a zipper in a closed position;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a mouth portion of the slider bagshowing the slider moved away from the closed position so that thezipper is partially opened;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG.1;

[0013]FIG. 4a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a removable adhesive label;

[0014]FIG. 4b is an enlarged isometric view of the slider bag showingthe adhesive label in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0015]FIG. 4c is a sectional view taken generally along line 4 c-4 c inFIG. 4a;

[0016]FIG. 4d is a sectional view taken generally along line 4 d-4 d inFIG. 4b;

[0017]FIG. 5a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a flexible member, such as a pricetag pin, extending through a hole in the slider;

[0018]FIG. 5b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theflexible member in the process of being cut away from the slider;

[0019]FIG. 5c is a sectional view taken generally along line 5 c-5 c inFIG. 5a;

[0020]FIG. 5d is a sectional view taken generally along line 5 d-5 d inFIG. 5b;

[0021]FIG. 6a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of flexible member, such as a pricetag pin, extending through a hole in the zipper adjacent to the sliderin the closed position;

[0022]FIG. 6b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theflexible member in the process of being cut away from the zipper;

[0023]FIG. 6c is a sectional view taken generally along line 6 c-6 c inFIG. 6a;

[0024]FIG. 6d is a sectional view taken generally along line 6 d-6 d inFIG. 6b;

[0025]FIG. 7a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a stepped retaining elementattached to one of the bag body panels and engaging a shoulder of theslider in the closed position;

[0026]FIG. 7b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thestepped retaining element in the process of being detached from the bagbody panel and disengaged from the slider;

[0027]FIG. 7c is a sectional view taken generally along line 7 c-7 c inFIG. 7a;

[0028]FIG. 7d is a sectional view taken generally along line 7 d-7 d inFIG. 7b;

[0029]FIG. 7e is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a stepped retaining elementintegrally formed with a slider end stop and engaging a shoulder of theslider in the closed position;

[0030]FIG. 7f is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thestepped retaining element in the process of being detached from theslider end stop and disengaged from the slider;

[0031]FIG. 7g is a sectional view taken generally along line 7 g-7 g inFIG. 7e;

[0032]FIG. 7h is a sectional view taken generally along line 7 h-7 h inFIG. 7f;

[0033]FIG. 8a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of shrink wrap encapsulating theslider in the closed position;

[0034]FIG. 8b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theshrink wrap in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0035]FIG. 8c is a sectional view taken generally along line 8 c-8 c inFIG. 8a;

[0036]FIG. 8d is a sectional view taken generally along line 8 d-8 d inFIG. 8b;

[0037]FIG. 9a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a plastic sleeve covering at leasta portion of the slider in the closed position;

[0038]FIG. 9b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theplastic sleeve in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0039]FIG. 9c is a sectional view taken generally along line 9 c-9 c inFIG. 9a;

[0040]FIG. 9d is a sectional view taken generally along line 9 d-9 d inFIG. 9b;

[0041]FIG. 10a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of an extruded friction fit plasticsleeve located adjacent to the slider in the closed position;

[0042]FIG. 10b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theplastic sleeve in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0043]FIG. 10c is a sectional view taken generally along line 10 c-10 cin FIG. 10a;

[0044]FIG. 10d is a sectional view taken generally along line 10 d-10 din FIG. 10b;

[0045]FIG. 11a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a cardboard, paper, plastic, orfoil strip stapled to the bag adjacent to the slider in the closedposition;

[0046]FIG. 11b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thestapled strip in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0047]FIG. 11c is a sectional view taken generally along line 11 c-11 cin FIG. 11a;

[0048]FIG. 11d is a sectional view taken generally along line 11 d-11 din FIG. 11b;

[0049]FIG. 12a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a plastic tab located adjacent tothe slider in the closed position, and including a pair of tab panelsdetachably connected to and extending upward from respective bag bodypanels and attached to each other above the zipper;

[0050]FIG. 12b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theplastic tab in the process of being removed from the bag;

[0051]FIG. 12c is a sectional view taken generally along line 12 c-12 cin FIG. 12a;

[0052]FIG. 12d is a sectional view taken generally along line 12 d-12 din FIG. 12b;

[0053]FIG. 13a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a latch extending from a sliderend stop and releasably engaged to the slider in the closed position;

[0054]FIG. 13b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thelatch in the process of being disengaged from the slider;

[0055]FIG. 13c is a sectional view taken generally along line 13 c-13 cin FIG. 13a;

[0056]FIG. 13d is a sectional view taken generally along line 13 d-13 din FIG. 13b;

[0057]FIG. 14a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a latch extending from a sliderend stop and engaged to the slider in the closed position;

[0058]FIG. 14b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thelatch in the process of being broken to release the slider from the endstop;

[0059]FIG. 14c is a sectional view taken generally along line 14 c-14 cin FIG. 14a;

[0060]FIG. 14d is a sectional view taken generally along line 14 d-14 din FIG. 14b;

[0061]FIG. 15a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a latch extending from the sliderin the closed position and engaged to the slider end stop;

[0062]FIG. 15b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing thelatch in the process of being broken to release the slider from the endstop;

[0063]FIG. 15c is a sectional view taken generally along line 15 c-15 cin FIG. 15a;

[0064]FIG. 15d is a sectional view taken generally along line 15 d-15 din FIG. 15b;

[0065]FIG. 16a is a partial isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature in the form of a U-shaped element extendingthrough slots in the slider in the closed position and dug into thezipper;

[0066]FIG. 16b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing theU-shaped element in the process of being disengaged from the zipper andremoved from the slider;

[0067]FIG. 16c is a sectional view taken generally along line 16 c-16 cin FIG. 16a;

[0068]FIG. 16d is a sectional view taken generally along line 16 d-16 din FIG. 16b;

[0069]FIG. 17a is an isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature created by folding over the mouth portion of thebag and detachably connecting the folded-over mouth portion to the sidesof the bag;

[0070]FIG. 17b is a partial isometric view of the slider bag showing oneof the side seals attaching the folded-over mouth portion to the sidesof the bag;

[0071]FIG. 17c is a partial isometric view of the slider bag after theside seals have been broken to allow the mouth portion to be unfolded;

[0072]FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature created by folding over the mouth portion of thebag and securing the folded-over mouth portion with a price tag pin anda side seal;

[0073]FIG. 19a is an isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature created by folding over the mouth portion of thebag and detachably sealing the inner panel of the folded-over mouthportion to the adjacent bag panel;

[0074]FIG. 19b is a section view taken generally along line 19 b-19 b inFIG. 19a;

[0075]FIG. 20a is an isometric view of a slider bag having atamper-evident feature created by folding over the mouth portion of thebag and securing the folded-over mouth portion with partially removablestickers; and

[0076]FIG. 20b is an isometric view of the slider bag in FIG. 20a afterthe stickers have been partially removed to allow the mouth portion tobe unfolded.

[0077] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit theinvention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a reclosable plasticslider bag 10 comprising first and second opposing body panels 12 and 14fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides 16 and 18 and abottom 20 bridging the pair of sides 16 and 18. The bag is provided witha reclosable zipper 22 extending along a mouth portion formed oppositethe closed bottom 20 of the plastic bag.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 3, the zipper 22 includes a male track and afemale track. The male track includes a male profile 24 and a firstdepending fin or flange 26 extending downward from the male profile 24.Likewise, the female track includes a female profile 28 and a seconddepending fin or flange 30 extending downward from the female profile28. The first and second fins 26 and 30 are thermally fused to innersurfaces of the respective first and second body panels 12 and 14.Alternatively, the zipper 22 may be extruded with the body panels 12 and14 such that the first fin 26 is integrally formed with the first bodypanel 12 and the second fin 30 is integrally formed with the second bodypanel 14. To provide a hermetic seal for the contents of the bag, thefirst and second fins 26 and 30 may be joined to each other at theirlowermost ends along a line of weakness to effectively create a singletamper-evident continuous fin. If the fins are joined to each other,they must be separated from each other along the line of weakness inorder to gain access to the contents of the bag. Further informationconcerning the joined fins may be obtained from U.S. application Ser.No. 08/950,535 filed Oct. 15, 1997 and entitled “Reclosable FastenerStrip With Tamper Evident Feature,” which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

[0080] To assist in opening the plastic bag, a slider 32 is slidablymounted to the zipper 22 for movement between a closed position and anopen position. In the closed position of the slider 32 shown in FIG. 1,the male and female profiles 24 and 28 are interlocked with each other.Movement of the slider 32 from the closed position in FIG. 1 toward theopen position (see FIG. 2) disengages the male and female profiles 24and 28 from each other and allows a user to gain access to the interiorof the plastic bag. The zipper 22 is preferably free of graspable upperpull flanges extending upward from the profiles 24 and 28 in order tofacilitate mounting and movement of the slider 32 along the zipper 22.Also, the absence of such upper pull flanges inhibits a user fromopening and closing the zipper 22 without the use of the slider 32.

[0081] Opposite ends of the zipper 22 are provided with end terminationclamps 34. Each end clamp 34 includes a strap member that wraps over thetop of the zipper 22. To mount the strap to the zipper 22, one end ofthe strap is provided with a rivet-like member that is adapted topenetrate through the bag material and into a cooperating opening at theother end of the strap. The end clamps 34 perform the dual function ofstops for the ends of the zipper 22 to prevent the slider 32 from goingpast the end of the zipper 22 and, in addition, they hold the male andfemale profiles 24 and 28 together to resist stresses applied to theprofiles during normal use of the plastic bag. Further detailsconcerning the construction and operation of the slider 32 and the endclamps 34 may be obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,208 to Herrington,Jr. et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The end terminations 34 are merely illustrative and may take other formsknown in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,482,375;5,448,807; 5,442,837; 5,405,478; 5,161,286; 5,131,121; and 5,088,971 andin U.S. application Ser. No. 08/698,923 filed Aug. 16, 1996 and entitled“End Posts for Plastic Zipper,” all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

[0082] To provide the plastic bag with tamper evidence, the bag includesa tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments depicted in FIGS.4a-d through 16 a-d, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains theslider 32 in the closed position (FIG. 1) and allows the slider 32 tomove away from the closed position toward the open position (see FIG. 2)in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature. Prior toremoving or breaking the tamper evident feature, it is difficult to gainaccess to the interior of the bag because, in the absence of graspableupper flanges, the zipper 22 is difficult to grasp and open by handwithout the use of the slider 32. The tamper-evident feature may take avariety forms which are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 4a-dthrough 16 a-d.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 4a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a partially removable adhesive label 40 adjacent to thenarrow closing end 32 a of the slider 32 when the slider 32 is in theclosed position on the zipper 22. Opposing end sections 40 a and 40 b ofthe label 40 are permanently adhered to outer surfaces of the opposingbag body panels 12 and 14, while a middle portion 40 c of the label 40is detachably connected to these end sections 40 a and 40 b alongrespective perforation lines. One or both ends of each perforation linemay be provided with a notch to help initiate tearing along theperforation line. The middle portion 40 c is either not adhered to thebag or is peelably adhered to the bag. Prior to removal, the label 40extends over the zipper 22 as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4 c so as toobstruct movement of the slider 32 away from the closed position. Toallow movement of the slider 32 and thereby gain access to the interiorof the bag, a user grasps the portion 40 c of the label 40 extendingover the zipper 22 and detaches this portion 40 c from the end sections40 a and 40 b as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4 d. The end sections 40 a and 40b remaining on the bag provide evidence of tampering. In an alternativeembodiment, the label 40 does not include the perforation lines, butrather is removed using a cutting tool such as a scissors or knife.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 5a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a flexible member, such as a conventional plastic pricetag pin 50, extending through a hole 52 in the slider 32 and through thezipper 22 when the slider 32 is in the closed position on the zipper 22.The price tag pin 50 includes a pair of stops 54 and 56 at its opposingends to keep the pin 50 in place. Since the price tag pin 50 is anchoredto the zipper 22, the slider 32 cannot be moved away from the closedposition until the price tag pin 50 is clipped off the bag as shown inFIGS. 5b and 5 d. As shown in FIGS. 6a-d, the price tag pin 50 mayalternatively be anchored to the zipper 22 adjacent to the closing end32 a of the slider 32 when the slider 32 is in the closed position onthe zipper 22. The zipper 22 includes the profiles 24 and 28 and thefins 26 and 30 extending downward from the respective profiles 24 and28. The price tag pin 50 may extend through a hole in either theprofiles 24 and 28 (not shown) or the fins 26 and 30 as shown in FIG.6c. The pin 50 may extend through both the fins and the opposing bodypanels (as shown) or just the fins. Prior to removal of the pin 50, thepin 50 blocks movement of the slider 32 away from the closed position.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 7a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a removable stepped retaining element 70 removablyattached to the bag body panel 12 just below the zipper 22 at the closedposition of the slider. The stepped element 70 may be attached to thebag body panel 12 by a peel seal or other weak adhesive that allows thestepped element 70 to be peeled or pried away as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7d. The stepped element 70 forms one or more steps 72 having respectivesloped surfaces. The sloped surfaces of the respective steps 72 may beinclined such that each step 72 gradually increases in thickness in adirection approaching the end stop 34. To engage one of the steps 72,the slider 32 includes at least one inwardly extending shoulder 73 thatis contoured to form a protrusion or bump 74. The protrusion 74 may belocated anywhere along the shoulder 73. Further details concerning thecontoured shoulder 73 may be obtained from U.S. application Ser. No.08/938,047 filed Apr. 26, 1997, entitled “High-Strength Slider for aReclosable Bag,” and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.When the slider 32 is in the closed position, the protrusion 74 on theslider shoulder 73 engages a raised edge 76 (FIG. 7a) on one of thesteps 72.

[0086] To create the tamper-evident feature in FIGS. 7a-d, the steppedelement 70 is preferably first adhered to the bag body panel 12.Subsequently, the slider 32 may be engaged to the stepped element 70using a couple techniques. In one technique, if the slider 32 is of thewing-lock type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,208, the slider 32 maybe installed on the zipper 22 at a location immediately above thestepped element 70. The wing-lock slider 32 includes a pair of hingedwings 78 and 79 that, prior to installing the slider 32 on the zipper22, are spread away from each other in an open position (not shown). Thewing 78 forms the shoulder 73 having the protrusion 74. The slider 32 isinitially mounted to the zipper 22 above the stopped element with thewings 78 and 79 in the open or spread position, and then the wings 78and 79 are rotated downward and latched in a closed position depicted inFIGS. 7a-d. As the wings 78 and 79 are latched in the closed position,the protrusion 74 engages the edge 76 of one of the steps 72. In anothertechnique, the slider 32 is installed on the zipper 22 at a locationaway from the stepped element 70. The slider 32 is then moved along thezipper 22 to the closed position. When approaching the closed position,the slider shoulder 73 is forced over the stepped element 70 until theprotrusion 74 engages the edge 76 of one of the steps 72.

[0087] To remove the stepped element 70 and thereby allow movement ofthe slider 32 away from the closed position, a user grasps a tab 71 ofthe stepped element 70 and peels or pries the stepped element 70 awayfrom the bag body panel 12 as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7 d.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 7e-h, in an alternative embodiment a breakawaystepped element 70′ is integrally formed with the end stop 34 and isdetachably connected to the end stop 34 along a weakened area ofconnection 75 (FIG. 7e). To remove the stepped element 70′, the slider32 is forced away from the closed position as shown in FIG. 7f to breakthe weakened connection 75. The detached stepped element 70′ is thenremoved from beneath the slider 32. To facilitate removal of the steppedelement 70′, a pull tab akin to the tab 71 in FIGS. 7a-d may beprovided. Instead of detaching the stepped element 70′ from the end stop34 by forcibly moving the slider 32 away from the end stop 34, thestepped element 70′ may alternatively be provided with a pull tab thatis grasped and pulled by a user to first rupture the weakened connection75 and then remove the detached stepped element 70′ from beneath theslider 32.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 8a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of removable plastic shrink wrap 80 encapsulating the slider32 when the slider 32 is in the closed position. The shrink wrap 80 isadhered or thermally fused to the bag body panels 12 and 14. The shrinkwrap 80 may additionally encapsulate the end stop 34, in which case theshrink wrap 80 may only need to be attached to itself and not to thebody panels in order to be held in place. Alternatively, the shrink wrapmay be shrunk over the zipper 22 in front of the slider 32. To allow theslider 32 to be moved away from the closed position, the shrink wrap 80is torn or peeled away from the bag as shown in FIGS. 8b and 8 d. Theshrink wrap 80 may be notched or perforated to facilitate its removal.Such perforations could be located along the top or sides of the shrinkwrap 80 depending upon the manner in which it is desired that the shrinkwrap 80 be torn away. It is contemplated that a portion of the shrinkwrap 80 could remain attached to the bag body panels 12 and 14 fortamper evidence after most of the shrink wrap 80 is torn away, so longas the remaining portion does not interfere with the movement of theslider 32.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 9a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a rigid or flexible plastic sleeve 90 partially coveringthe slider 32 when the slider 32 is in the closed position.Alternatively, the sleeve 90 may be increased in length to cover theentire slider 32. The sleeve 90 is either adhered or thermally fused toone or both of the bag body panels 12 and 14 as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9c or attached to the end stop 34 (not shown). To allow the slider 32 tobe moved away from the closed position, the plastic sleeve 90 is torn orpeeled away from the bag as shown in FIGS. 9b and 9 d.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 10a-d, in an alternative embodiment a plasticsleeve 100 is mounted over the zipper 22 adjacent to the closing end 32a of the slider 32 when the slider is in the closed position. The sleeve100 may be adhered or thermally fused to the bag body panels 12 and 14and, additionally or alternatively, may be releasably connected to thezipper 22 by a friction fit. Also, the sleeve 100 may extend along onlya short portion of the length of the zipper 22 as shown, or may extendalong substantially the entire length of the zipper 22 less the regionof the zipper 22 occupied by the slider 32. To achieve a strong frictionfit between the sleeve 100 and the zipper 22, the sleeve 100 ispreferably extruded to have an inner profile conforming to an outerprofile of the zipper 22 as shown in FIG. 10c. When the sleeve 100 ismounted to the zipper 22, the sleeve 100 obstructs movement of theslider 32 away from the closed position. To allow the slider 32 to bemoved away from the closed position, the sleeve 100 is pried off thezipper 22 either by pulling the entire sleeve 100 upward off the zipper22 (not shown) or, if the sleeve 100 is sufficiently flexible, byreleasing and lifting one side of the sleeve 100 as shown in FIGS. 10band 10 d.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 11a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a cardboard, paper, plastic, or foil strip 110 wrappedover the zipper 22 at a location adjacent to the closing end 32 a of theslider 32 when the slider 32 is in the closed position. The strip 110 isstapled to the bag body panels 12 and 14. To allow the slider 32 to bemoved away from its closed position, the staple is removed from thestrip 110 which is, in turn, removed from the bag.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 12a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a plastic tab 120 located adjacent to the closing end 32a of the slider 32 when the slider is in the closed position. Theplastic tab 120 includes a pair of tab panels 120 a and 120 b (FIG. 12c)integrally formed with the respective bag body panels 12 and 14 anddetachable therefrom along lines of weakness 122 (FIG. 12a). The linesof weakness may be perforations, scores, thinned areas, or the like. Thetab panels 120 a and 120 b extend upwardly above the zipper 22 and areadhered or thermally fused to each other above the zipper 22. To allowthe slider 32 to be moved away from its closed position, the tab panels120 a and 120 b are grasped and pulled in a generally upward directionuntil they are broken away from the bag body panels 12 and 14 along thelines of weakness 122 as shown in FIGS. 12b and 12 d. It is contemplatedthat a single tab panel maybe used in place of the pair of tab panels120 a and 120 b.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 13a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a latch 130 extending from the end stop 34 and releasablyengaged to the slider 32 when the slider 32 is in the closed position.The illustrated latch 130 is connected to the end stop 34 along aone-time breakable hinge that biases the latch 130 toward the positiondepicted in FIG. 13a. The latch 130 may extend along the side of theslider 32 as shown or, alternatively, may extend along the top wall ofthe slider 32. As shown in FIG. 13a, the latch 130 is shaped to extendabout the exterior of the slider 32 and forms a distal hook 132 thatengages the closing end 32 a of the slider 32. Alternatively, the slider32 may be modified to include a protruding tab, and the latch 130 may beadapted to engage the protruding tab. To allow the slider 32 to be movedaway from its closed position, the latch 130 is pivoted outward awayfrom the slider 32 until the hook 132 disengages from the slider 32 asshown in FIGS. 13b and 13 d. The latch 130 is then torn away from theend stop 34 and discarded.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 14a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of an arrow-shaped latch 140 extending from the slider endstop 34 and engaged to the slider 32 when the slider 32 is in the closedposition. The latch 140 is integrally formed with the end stop 34, andthe slider 32 is initially injection molded with an elongated cavity 142having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the latch 140.The transverse dimension of the cavity is slightly greater than thetransverse dimension of the latch 140. To “activate” the tamper-evidentfeature, the slider 32 is moved to the closed position such that thelatch 140 is inserted into the cavity 142 and the barb-like head 144 ofthe latch 140 snappingly engages a shoulder 146 deep within the cavity142. The latch head 144 is sufficiently flexible to allow the latch 140to be inserted in the cavity 142 and, yet, its barb-like shape preventsthe latch 140 from subsequently being extracted from the cavity 142. Theinstalled latch 140 is depicted in FIGS. 14a and 14 c. To allow theslider 32 to be moved away from its closed position, the slider 32 issimply grasped and moved away from the closed position with sufficientforce to break the latch 140 away from the end stop 34 as shown in FIGS.14b and 14 d. The latch 140 remains captured within the cavity 142 ofthe slider 32.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 15a-d, an arrow-shaped latch 150 mayalternatively extend from the slider 32 and be engaged to the end stop34. The latch 150 is inserted into a cavity 152 within the end stop 34and snappingly engaged to a shoulder 154 within the cavity 152. Inresponse to forcing the slider 32 away from its closed position, thelatch 150 is broken away from the slider 32 and remains captured withinthe cavity 152 as shown in FIGS. 15b and 15 d.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 16a-d, there is shown a tamper-evident featurein the form of a U-shaped rigid or semi-rigid retaining element 160extending through slots 162 in the slider 32 and dug into the zipper 22(see FIG. 16c) when the slider 32 is in the closed position. TheU-shaped element 160 may be composed of metal or plastic. The slider 32includes a transverse member 163 and a pair of side walls 164 and 165extending downward from opposing longitudinal sides of the transversemember 163. The transverse member 163 rides along the upper portion ofthe zipper 22. The side wall 164 includes a leg 166 and a hinged wing167. After the slider 32 is installed on the zipper 22, the wing 167encompasses and is latched to the leg 166. The side wall 165 includes aleg and a hinged wing akin to the respective leg 166 and wing 167 of theside wall 164. The slots 162 are formed by a small gap separating thewing 167 20 from the leg 166. Further details concerning theconstruction of the slider 32 may be obtained from U.S. application Ser.No. 08/938,047 filed Apr. 26, 1997, entitled “High-Strength Slider for aReclosable Bag,” and already incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

[0098] An advantage of the tamper-evident feature in FIGS. 16a-d is thata slider bag utilizing the slider 32 constructed as described above isalready suitable for receiving the U-shaped element 160. No specialfeatures need to be added to the slider 32. Therefore, such a slider bagmay be retrofitted with the U-shaped element 160 to provide the bag witha degree of tamper evidence. To allow the slider 32 to be moved awayfrom the closed position, the U-shaped element 160 is disengaged fromthe zipper 22 and removed from the slider 32. To facilitate such removalof the U-shaped element, a prying tool such as a screwdriver may beinserted between the slider leg 166 and the U-shaped element 160. In analternative embodiment, the U-shaped element 160 is replaced with arigid element that passes through only a single slot or hole in theslider 32 and digs into the zipper 22. This rigid element is preferablyprovided with some sort of handle that can be manipulated by hand orwith a tool to facilitate removal of the rigid element from the slider32.

[0099] In another set of embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17a-c throughFIGS. 20a-b, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains a mouthportion of the plastic bag in a folded position and allows the mouthportion to be unfolded in response to removing or breaking thetamper-evident feature. The tamper-evident feature can be employed withboth slider and sliderless bags.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 17a-c. there is shown a tamper-evident featurecreated by folding over the mouth portion 170 of the bag and detachablysealing the folded-over mouth portion 170 to the sides 16 and 18 of thebag along side spot seals 172 and 174. With the bag in the foldedposition, as shown in FIGS. 17a and 17 b, access to the interior of thebag is restricted because even if the slider 32 is moved from the closedposition to the open position, one would have difficulty getting pastthe fold 176 after entering the bag. In addition to providing tamperevidence, the folded-over mouth portion 170 provides a convenient handlefor carrying the bag especially when the seals for attaching thefolded-over mouth portion 170 are located along the sides 16 and 18. Togain access to the contents of the bag, the side seals 172 and 174 areruptured to allow the mouth portion 170 to be unfolded as shown in FIG.17c.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 18, 19a-b, and 20 a-b, the folded-over mouthportion 170 may alternatively be secured in the folded position by othermeans. For example, in FIG. 18, the folded-over mouth portion 170 isheld in the folded position by the combination of a spot seal 174 alongthe side 18 and a flexible member, such as a price tag pin 180, passingthrough both the zipper 22 and the adjacent unfolded bag portion nearthe side 16. The price tag pin 180 performs the dual function ofmaintaining the mouth portion 170 in the folded position and preventingthe slider 32 from being moved away from the closed position until thepin 180 is removed from the bag. The embodiment in FIG. 18 may bemodified to eliminate the spot seal 174 and provide either a singleprice tag pin approximately midway between the sides 16 and 18 or a pairof price tag pins near the respective sides 16 and 18. Any price tag pinnear the side 16 is preferably disposed adjacent to or through theslider 32 along the zipper 22 to prevent the slider 32 from being movedaway from the closed position until the pin is removed from the bag.

[0102] In FIGS. 19a-b, the folded-over mouth portion 170 is secured inthe folded position by one or more spot seals 190 and 192 detachablysealing the bag panel 12 to itself. The spot seals may, for example, bepeelable seals or “dirty” seals. The portion of the bag panel 12 on themouth portion 170 is adhered to the adjacent unfolded portion of the bagpanel 12. The spot seals 190 and 192 may, if desired, be strategicallypositioned to create a handle for carrying the bag.

[0103] In FIGS. 20a-b, the folded-over mouth portion 170 is secured inthe folded position by one or more partially removable stickers(adhesive strip) or pressure-sensitive labels 200 that attach the mouthportion 170 to the adjacent unfolded portion of the bag panel 12. One ofthe stickers 200 may be positioned adjacent to or over the slider 32along the zipper 22 to prevent the slider 32 from being moved away fromthe closed position until the sticker is removed from the bag. A middleportion of each sticker 200 is torn away to allow the mouth portion 170to be unfolded, while end portions of each sticker 200 remainpermanently attached to the bag to provide evidence of tampering.

[0104] Each tamper-evident feature described above makes it difficult togain access to the interior of the bag prior to removing or breaking thetamper-evident feature. In the absence of graspable upper flanges, thezipper 22 is difficult to grasp and open by hand without the use of theslider 32. Therefore, with respect to those tamper-evident features thatprevent movement of the slider 32 away from the closed position, suchtamper-evident features effectively inhibit tampering with the contentsof the bag to a degree that is especially useful for non-food and somefood applications, where tamper-proof packaging is not required buttamper-resistant packaging is nonetheless desirable. For example, thetamper-evident features in FIGS. 4a-d, 8 a-d. 9 a-d, 10 a-d, 11 a-d, and12 a-d are advantageous in that tamper resistance is accomplished byusing a removable cardboard, paper, plastic, or foil member covering oradjacent to the slider in the closed position and adhered, stapled,friction fit, or connected in some other way to the bag to hold themember in place. If the member is composed of plastic, the plastic maybe a polymer or copolymer comprised of polyethylene-based polymers,polystyrene, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, or other similarmaterials. The polyethylene-based polymers may include low densitypolyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, metallocene, ethylenevinyl acetate, or other similar materials. The shrink wrap 80 in FIGS.8a-d is preferably composed of conventional low density polyethylene.The plastic tab 120 in FIGS. 12a-d is formed from the same material asthe bag body panels 12 and 14 because the detachable tab panels 120 aand 120 b are integrally formed with the respective bag body panels 12and 14.

[0105] Further, the tamper-evident features in FIGS. 5a-d and 6 a-d areadvantageous in that tamper resistance is accomplished by using aconventional price tag pin anchored to at least the zipper 22 (FIGS.5a-d and 6 a-d) and optionally anchored to the slider 32 as well (FIGS.5a-d) so as to obstruct movement of the slider 32 away from its closedposition. The tamper-evident features in FIGS. 13a-d, 14 a-d, and 15 a-dare advantageous in that tamper resistance is accomplished by using amovable (FIGS. 13a-d) or breakable (FIGS. 14a-d and 15 a-d) latchreleasably coupling the slider 32 to the end stop 34. The steppedelement in FIGS. 7a-h is likewise effective at providing resistance totampering with the contents of the slider bag.

[0106] Unlike the tamper-evident features in FIGS. 4a-d through 16 a-d,the tamper-evident features in FIGS. 17a-c, 18, 19 a-b, and 20 a-b donot rely upon preventing movement of the slider 32 away from its closedposition. Rather, the tamper-evident features in FIGS. 17a-c, 18, 19a-b, and 20 a-b rely upon securing the bag mouth in a folded positionand would still be effective in the absence of the slider 32 and thezipper 22. Therefore, unlike the other tamper-evident features, thetamper-evident features in FIGS. 17a-c, 18, 19 a-b, and 20 a-b may beapplied to virtually any type of bag. If, however, a slider bag isemployed, it is contemplated that the tamper-evident features of FIGS.4a-d through 16 a-d can be combined with the tamper-evident features inFIGS. 17a-c, 18, 19 a-b, and 20 a-b so as to both secure the bag mouthin a folded position and prevent movement of the slider away from itsclosed position until the appropriate tamper-evident feature is brokenor removed. Examples of bags combining multiple tamper-evident featuresis illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 20a-b.

[0107] While the present invention has been described with reference toone or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art willrecognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodimentsand obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within thespirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tamper-evident slider bag, comprising: firstand second opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along apair of sides and a bottom bridging said pair of sides; a reclosablezipper extending along a mouth formed opposite said bottom; a sliderslidably mounted to said zipper for movement between a closed positionand an open position, said zipper being closed while said slider is insaid closed position, said zipper being opened in response to movementof said slider to said open position; and a stationary tamper-evidentmember initially extending over said zipper and coupled to said opposingbody panels, said tamper-evident member being initially positionedrelative to said slider so as to initially obstruct the movement of saidslider away from said closed position, said slider being allowed to moveaway from said closed position in response to removal of saidtamper-evident member from the bag.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein saidtamper-evident member includes an adhesive label adhered to outersurfaces of said opposing body panels.
 3. The bag of claim 2, whereinsaid adhesive label is adjacent to said slider along said zipper.
 4. Thebag of claim 1, wherein said tamper-evident member includes a flexiblestrip stapled to said opposing body panels.
 5. The bag of claim 4,wherein said flexible strip is comprised of a material selected from agroup consisting of cardboard, paper, plastic, and foil.
 6. The bag ofclaim 4, wherein said tamper-evident member is adjacent to said slideralong said zipper.
 7. The bag of claim 1, wherein said tamper-evidentmember includes a plastic sleeve adhered to outer surfaces of saidopposing body panels.
 8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said plastic sleevecovers at least a portion of said slider.
 9. The bag of claim 1, whereinsaid tamper-evident member includes a profiled plastic sleeve connectedby friction fit to said zipper.
 10. The bag of claim 9, wherein saidprofiled plastic sleeve has an inner profile substantially complementaryto an outer profile of said zipper.
 11. The bag of claim 9, wherein saidprofiled plastic sleeve is adjacent to said slider along said zipper.12. The bag of claim 1, wherein said tamper-evident member includesshrink wrap encapsulating said slider when said slider is in said closedposition.
 13. The bag of claim 12, wherein said shrink wrap is adheredto said opposing body panels.
 14. The bag of claim 1, wherein saidtamper-evident member includes a plastic tab including first and secondtab panels integrally formed with said respective first and second bodypanels, said first and second tab panels extending upward from saidrespective first and second body panels and being connected to eachother above said zipper.
 15. The bag of claim 14, wherein said plastictab is initially disposed adjacent to said slider when said slider is insaid closed position.
 16. The bag of claim 14, wherein said first andsecond tabs are detachably connected to said respective first and secondbody panels along respective lines of weakness.
 17. The bag of claim 1,wherein said zipper includes a first track with a first profile and asecond track with a second profile, said first and second profiles beingreleasably engageable to each other, and wherein said first and secondtracks are free of graspable upper pull flanges extending upwardly fromsaid respective first and second profiles.
 18. A tamper-evident sliderbag, comprising: first and second opposing body panels fixedly connectedto each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said pair ofsides; a reclosable zipper extending along a mouth formed opposite saidbottom, said zipper including a first track with a first profile and asecond track with a second profile, said first and second profiles beingreleasably engageable to each other; a slider slidably mounted to saidzipper for movement between a closed position and an open position, saidzipper being closed while said slider is in said closed position, saidzipper being opened in response to movement of said slider to said openposition; and a stationary tamper-evident member including a pininitially passing through said zipper at a location proximate to saidslider when said slider is in said closed position so as to initiallyobstruct the movement of said slider away from said closed position,said slider being allowed to move away from said closed position inresponse to removal of said pin from the bag.
 19. The bag of claim 18,wherein said pin is a price tag pin.
 20. The bag of claim 18, whereinsaid pin is flexible and includes an elongated central portion and apair of stops at opposing ends to keep said pin on said zipper.
 21. Thebag of claim 18, wherein said first and second tracks are free ofgraspable upper pull flanges extending upwardly from said respectivefirst and second profiles.
 22. The bag of claim 18, wherein said pinpasses through said slider to anchor said slider to said zipper.
 23. Thebag of claim 18, wherein said pin passes through said zipper adjacent tosaid slider.
 24. The bag of claim 18, wherein said first track includesa first fin extending downward from said first profile and wherein saidsecond track includes a second fin extending downward from said secondprofile, said pin passing through said first and second fins.
 25. Thebag of claim 18, wherein said pin passes through said first and secondprofiles.
 26. A tamper-evident slider bag, comprising: first and secondopposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair ofsides and a bottom bridging said pair of sides; a reclosable zipperextending along a mouth formed opposite said bottom; a slider slidablymounted to said zipper for movement between a closed position and anopen position, said zipper being closed while said slider is in saidclosed position, said zipper being opened in response to movement ofsaid slider to said open position, said slider including a shoulderriding along said first body panel as said slider is moved between saidclosed and open positions; and a stationary tamper-evident steppedmember disposed adjacent to said first body panel and including at leastone step, said shoulder being engaged to said step when said slider isinitially in said closed position so as to initially prevent movement ofsaid slider away from said closed position, said slider being allowed tomove away from said closed position in response to removal of saidstepped member from the bag.
 27. The bag of claim 26, wherein saidstepped member is detachably adhered to said first body panel.
 28. Thebag of claim 26, further including an end termination mounted to saidzipper and disposed adjacent to said closed position of said slider,said end termination stopping said slider at said closed position whensaid slider is moved from said open position to said closed position,and wherein said stepped member is detachably connected to said endtermination.
 29. The bag of claim 28, wherein said stepped member isintegrally formed with said end termination.
 30. The bag of claim 26,wherein said stepped member includes a plurality of steps havingrespective sloped surfaces, said sloped surfaces being inclined suchthat each of said plurality of steps gradually increases in thickness ina direction extending away from said open position of said slider. 31.The bag of claim 26, wherein said shoulder includes a protrusion, saidprotrusion from said shoulder being engaged to said step when saidslider is initially in said closed position so as initially preventmovement of said slider away from said closed position.
 32. Atamper-evident slider bag, comprising: first and second opposing bodypanels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and abottom ridging said pair of sides; a reclosable zipper extending along amouth formed opposite said bottom; a slider slidably mounted to saidzipper for movement between a closed position and an open position, saidzipper being closed while said slider is in said closed position, saidzipper being opened in response to movement of said slider to said openposition; an end termination mounted to said zipper and disposedadjacent to said closed position of said slider, said end terminationstopping said slider at said closed position when said slider is movedfrom said open position to said closed position; and a latch initiallyintegrally connected to one of said end termination and said slider andlatched to the other of said end termination and said slider so as toinitially retain said slider in said closed position, said slider beingallowed to move away from said closed position in response to breakingsaid latch away from said one of said end termination and said slider.33. The bag of claim 32, wherein said latch is retained with said otherof said end termination and said slider after said latch is broken awayfrom said one of said end termination and said slider.
 34. The bag ofclaim 32, wherein said latch is initially integrally connected to saidend termination and latched to said slider.
 35. The bag of claim 32,wherein said latch is initially integrally connected to said slider andlatched to said end termination.
 36. The bag of claim 32, wherein saidlatch includes a shaft and an enlarged head at one end of said shaft,and wherein said one of said end termination and said slider includes acavity for receiving said latch.
 37. The bag of claim 36, wherein saidcavity includes first and second sections, said second section beinglarger in size than said first section, said shaft being located in saidfirst section, said enlarged head being located in said second section.38. A tamper-evident slider bag, comprising: first and second opposingbody panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and abottom bridging said pair of sides; a reclosable zipper extending alonga mouth formed opposite said bottom; a slider slidably mounted to saidzipper for movement between a closed position and an open position, saidzipper being closed while said slider is in said closed position, saidzipper being opened in response to movement of said slider to said openposition, said slider from being at least one slot; and a retainingmember extending through said slot and digging into said zipper whensaid slider is initially in said closed position so as to initiallymaintain said slider in said closed position, said slider being allowedto move away from said closed position in response to removal of saidretaining member from said slot.
 39. The bag of claim 38, wherein saidat least one slot includes a pair of slots spaced away from each otherand wherein said retaining member is U-shaped, said U-shaped retainingmember including a pair of spaced legs extending through said respectiveslots and digging into said zipper when said slider is initially in saidclosed position.
 40. The bag of claim 39, wherein said slider includes atransverse member and a pair of side walls extending downward fromopposite sides of said transverse member, said transverse member ridingalong an upper portion of said zipper as said slider is moved betweensaid open and closed positions, each of said side walls including a legand a wing encompassing said leg, portions of said wing being separatedfrom said leg to form said pair of slots.
 41. A tamper-evident plasticbag, comprising: first and second opposing body panels fixedly connectedto each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said pair ofsides; and a reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formedopposite said bottom; said mouth portion being initially folded relativeto a remainder of the bag and detachably connected to said bag remainderby a breakable connection so as to temporarily secure said mouth portionin a folded position alongside said bag remainder and thereby inhibitaccess to an interior of said bag remainder via said reclosable zipper,access to said interior of said bag remainder via said reclosable zipperbeing allowed in response to breaking said breakable connection.
 42. Thebag of claim 41, wherein said breakable connection includes a pair ofseal areas located along said respective sides.
 43. The bag of claim 42,wherein said pair of seal areas are located in close proximity to saidzipper.
 44. The bag of claim 42, wherein sections of said mouth portionapproximately midway between said sides are free of said breakableconnection such that said sections provide a carrying handle when saidmouth portion is secured in said folded position.
 45. The bag of claim41, further including a slider slidably mounted to said zipper formovement between a closed position and an open position, said zipperbeing closed while said slider is in said closed position, said zipperbeing opened in response to movement of said slider to said openposition.
 46. The bag of claim 41, wherein said breakable connectionincludes a seal area attaching said mouth portion to an adjacent one ofsaid body panels.
 47. The bag of claim 41, wherein said breakableconnection includes one or more stickers extending between said foldedmouth portion and said remainder of said bag.
 48. The bag of claim 41,wherein said breakable connection includes a pin passing passing throughsaid folded mouth portion and said bag remainder, access to saidinterior of said bag remainder via said reclosable zipper being allowedin response to removing said pin.
 49. The bag of claim 48, furtherincluding a slider slidably mounted to said zipper for movement betweena closed position and an open position, said zipper being closed whilesaid slider is in said closed position, said zipper being opened inresponse to movement of said slider to said open position, and whereinsaid pin initially passes through said zipper at a location proximate tosaid slider when said slider is in said closed position so as toinitially obstruct the movement of said slider away from said closedposition, said slider being allowed to move away from said closedposition in response to removal of said pin from the bag.